Rich Baker

I am looking for a good hunting bow for elk deer and bear. I was thinking af a 65# dream catcher. anybody have/ shoot one? how do they comare with a bear kodiak mag. or a black widow? how about speed are they on the fast or slow end ? thanks Rich

arrowsmit

Martin has always made great bows, but for substantially less than the price of a Dream Catcher there are many more that I'd (personally) rather shoot.

Check out www.recurves.com for starters.

Rich Baker

WoW, Those look awsome!!![:-] I have never herd of Check mate. Do they preform as great as they look? I want a bow that preforms very well and I am not scared to throw some money at it. I have shot a bear long bow for many years and Killed many deer with it. When that bow got stolen I replaced it with a Mathews compound and to be honest it has taken the fun out of it for me. I shoot it and There is no challeng to it. If I see a animal within 70 yards it is pretty much dead. That is not bow hunting! I want to get a nice recurve bow that preforms that I can shoot the hell out of and keep on shooting the hell out of it.

Soilarch

LBR is a moderator here. PM him or wait for his reply here, he can probably tell you anything you want to know about the Chek-mates. Also, http://www.women-outdoors.com/traditional/bowyers.htm is a great site i found out about here. It has enough links to trad. bowmakers to keep ya busy, and drooling, for a couple of days.

I'm looking at the Chek-mates pretty hard myself, as I'm itching to get into REAL archery...I'm feeling a self-christmas coming on

mhogan

And make sure you can handle that high of a weight bow before you buy. Most guys I know shouldn't go over 50#.

Calabash

Had a Dream Catcher.. A good bow.. But I switched to Chekmates and never looked back.. Good bows, great price.. The Hunter 1 is a good bow to start out on in switching from compounds to recurves..but, I don't think you really need a 65 lb bow.. 50 to 55 should be plenty...
Good luck and good shooting..

Calabash..

HORN-HUNTER

Im currently shoot a Martin Hunter @ 60# .Have taken 3 elk at 25 & 30 yards ,using mangas 145 grain . ... Cant go wrong w/ Martin

Magnum821

I saw a Martin Dream catcher at my first traditional shoot (I was still in the compund world at the time and a friend was trying to convert me), and fell in love with the wood. Unfortunately, purchased a Bear Super Kodiak to save some money. Did not like the wood and eventually had to trade it on stickbow.com plus the extra money. I love the bow but should have purchased the 45 or 50#. I have a 55# and have to work up to the poundage. It is a lightweight, fast-shooting bow that I will NEVER part with. I would encourage you though to think about the 65#. Unless you can really (and i mean really - no shaking), hold it with consistant form, I would go lighter. . . but it is a beautiful bow indeed.
Good luck.